National Framework Agreement for Radiology Capacity Solutions (PSR)

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wishes to establish a Framework Agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (and as amended) (the PSR) for use by all Relevant Authorities (and any future successors to these organisations).

"Relevant authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act.

For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework Agreement.

This framework agreement aims to provide a variety of solutions to allow organisations to maximise the capacity of their radiology departments and significantly reduce the cost of outsourced radiology services by realising the full potential of the scanning resources within the department. This will have two lots:

Lot 1 - Radiology Capacity Management Solutions

Lot 2 - Radiology Capacity Management Solutions with Rent-to-Own Equipment

This framework will run for a term of 4 years.

The Framework will be re-opened to new applicants annually, approximately 90 days before the anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date. Previously appointed Suppliers will NOT be obliged to re-apply on an annual basis, UNLESS they wish to bid for additional services to which they were not previously awarded.

Framework Suppliers appointed on the first anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 3 years duration; Framework Suppliers appointed on the second anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 2 years duration and Framework Suppliers appointed on the third anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 1 year duration.

The ITT process will be as described in this document. New appointments to the Framework will commence on each anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date.

Additional information: Supplier instructions how to express interest and bid:

1. Browse to the esourcing portal https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk and click on view current opportunities;
2. Register your organisation on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once);
3. Accept the portal terms and conditions and click 'continue', enter your organisation and user details; note the username you chose and click 'Save' when complete; you will shortly receive an e-mail with your unique password (please keep this secure);
4. Login to the portal with the username/password;
5. Click the 'PQQs/ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are pre-qualification questionnaires or invitations to tender open to any registered supplier);
6. Select the title of the ITT;
7. Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. This will move the PQQ/ITT into your 'My PQQs/My ITTs' page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only). You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ITT Details' box;
8. Review the ITT documents;
9. Responding to the ITT. Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining). You can now use the messages function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. Note the deadline for completion, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the ITT. There may be a mixture of online and offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available). You must then submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk.